But what do I wear?! – Cosplay.
So you want to cosplay? Well, there are a lot of preliminary decisions that need to be made before you jump in with both feet. If you are going to cosplay, you will want to think of what character you will be. This is not limited to only anime and games, but if you want to be recognized, be mindful of what events you cosplay at.
Pick a character whose costume is not going to be a hassle to make and wear. If you pick something like Big Sister, you better know what you’re doing and how to do it cheaply or you will dump a lot of money into something that will fall apart. If you pick a character with a fairly simple costume; that can be a starting point from which you can progress.
Always try and give your character the right personality. If you’re cosplaying a character that’s a demon with a horrendous past and you have a toothy grin on your face…well, you can connect the dots. How you carry yourself is also important. Stride, posture, movements, and actions are things that people will take notice of.
Whenever you can, pick something that is comfortable! Spending hours in an uncomfortable costume can be excruciating, and if you are trying to maintain any type of personality to go with your character, it will dwindle by the end of the day if you’re in pain. If you want to create your own costume, you can use a Cosplay 3D printer to make one. Footwear is also extremely important! If you’re going to spend the day in brand new shoes…don’t. I have made that mistake many a time, and whether you are male or female, this can be a big hassle by the end of a long day on your feet.
(Note the sexy flip-flops here. If your character would normally walk around barefoot, you may want to check with the rules of the particular con you are attending. Some will not allow you to walk around with no footwear, so plan accordingly.)
A big question that has a lot of pros and cons is if you want to make your costume, or have it commissioned by someone else. There is a sense of accomplishment in making your own costume, but if you are inept at sewing, then commissioning work is the way to go.
Make sure that whatever cosplay you pick, you feel comfortable wearing it around a lot of people who will be looking at you. If you’re not ok in a corseted waist, mini-skirt or mesh shirt-only situation, find something a little closer to your tastes. Yes, there are male characters out there that wear that stuff; I’m not just targeting the ladies. :p
Last but not least, make sure you have a budget for whatever you make or buy. If you think it’d be awesome to have a real automail arm like Edward Elric, take into account your financial situation. If you can afford to do fancy things with your cosplay, then have at it! (And send me pictures :])
